Ezekiel 16:26
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh; and hast increased thy whoredoms, to provoke me to anger.
Original Language Analysis
וַתִּזְנִ֧י
Thou hast also committed fornication
H2181
וַתִּזְנִ֧י
Thou hast also committed fornication
Strong's:
H2181
Word #:
1 of 11
to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (
בְּנֵֽי
with the Egyptians
H1121
בְּנֵֽי
with the Egyptians
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 11
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שְׁכֵנַ֖יִךְ
thy neighbours
H7934
שְׁכֵנַ֖יִךְ
thy neighbours
Strong's:
H7934
Word #:
5 of 11
a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen
בָשָׂ֑ר
of flesh
H1320
בָשָׂ֑ר
of flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
7 of 11
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 11
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
During Hezekiah's reign, Judah sought Egyptian help against Assyria (2 Kings 18:21). Later, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah looked to Egypt against Babylon (Jeremiah 37:5-11). Egypt's 'great flesh' refers to its reputation as a military superpower, yet God called it a 'bruised reed' (2 Kings 18:21) that would pierce the hand of those trusting it.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'Egypts' do you turn to in crisis instead of trusting God—wealth, human relationships, political power, insurance policies?
- How can legitimate secondary means of provision (work, medicine, planning) become idolatrous if they replace trust in God's sovereignty?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou hast also committed fornication with the Egyptians thy neighbours, great of flesh—The phrase gedolei vasar (גִּדְלֵי בָשָׂר, great of flesh) likely refers to Egyptian military power and cultural influence, though some interpret it as vulgar sexual imagery emphasizing Jerusalem's lustful pursuit. Historically, Judah repeatedly sought Egyptian alliances against Assyria and Babylon (Isaiah 30:1-3, 31:1-3, Jeremiah 37:5-7), trusting horses and chariots rather than YHWH.
To provoke me to anger (lehakh'iseni, לְהַכְעִיסֵנִי)—the causative form emphasizes intentional provocation. Jerusalem's political alliances were theological adultery; trusting Egypt meant distrusting God. Isaiah condemned this exact sin: 'Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help' (Isaiah 31:1). Spiritual adultery always involves transferring ultimate trust from God to created things—whether nations, wealth, or human relationships.